Mr Gilani also directed authorities to address the security concerns of the telecom companies, which were undertaking the expansion programmes in various regions of the country.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured the telecom operators that the government would ensure fair competition and transparency in the auction of 3G spectrum technology.

The CEOs of PTCL, Mobilink, Zong, Ufone, Telenor and Warid held a joint meeting with the prime minister here on Thursday, and also discussed the licencing of 3G among other issues pertaining to the telecom industry.

The auction of 3G licences is scheduled to take place on March 28 and 29.

The heads of telecom companies raised the issue of granting the status of industry to the telecom sector, and it was agreed during the meeting that the Information Technology Ministry would hold consultations with the heads of telecom companies and other stakeholders to address the issue.

The prime minister directed the Ministry of Finance and Federal Board of Revenue to hold meetings with telecom companies and rationalise the tax regime keeping in view the interests of the industry and the consumers at the same time.

He said it was encouraging that telecom operators were focusing on the delivery of value-added services and mobile banking, adding that government was committed to provide enabling environment for the introduction of latest technologies in the field.

Mr Gilani directed authorities to address the security concerns of the telecom companies, which were undertaking the expansion programmes in various regions of the country.

It was agreed that telecom companies would raise a professionally equipped specialised security force to protect the telecom operators and the installations. The Ministry of Interior will facilitate the import of scanners and other related equipment for this purpose.